Whether you're getting started or are a Fiverr legacy, this is the place to ask and answer questions

Ask the Community

Hello, again! Since my last topic about "how to improve my gig" questions in the New Users Questions section went so well, I thought it might be time to address another common issue new members face. If you've just started on Fiverr, there's a good chance your first message was from a scam account. Let's face it: even though it's annoying, scammers are very good at tracking new members, new gigs, and recently adjusted gigs.

When I first started on Fiverr, I received A LOT of scam messages. I understand why other new members might be confused or, more likely, enthusiastic about receiving their first order. After a while, I started to easily recognize who was fake and who was not.

In this mini guide… well, it could turn out to be a big guide, idk, I still have to write it :). I will go through ways to recognize these scams, and how to best protect yourself.

I have divided it again in the following topics:

What to do when you notice a message might be scam

Recognizing the easy ones (with examples)

Recognizing some difficult scams (with examples)

My idea for a resolution. It's not a complete fix, but more of a “let’s reduce the possibility of scams as much as possible.” 

To everyone reading who has not started communicating through the Fiverr inbox: WAIT! It’s important to do your research first. You can read this article and call it a day, but I also suggest you find more topics about it on this platform, read Fiverr’s Terms & Conditions, and generally ask yourself: “Am I capable of using the internet safely, and do I know the dangers it can bring?”

If you blindly follow everything you see on the internet, you might want to check your computer for viruses and hacks while you're here. 😉

When you're just honestly not sure who is contacting you, use this guide to figure it out!

2. What to do when you notice a message might be scam

First of all, it's good that you were able to notice this! Now, don’t just simply remove the message. Let’s help Fiverr discover these scams and learn more about them to prevent future occurrences. Here is what you should do:

When you have the message in your inbox, hover over the three dots in the top right of the message. This is the "more actions" button. Here, you will see the following menu:

Look for the Report button. Its bright red color and flag make it easy to spot and unmissable. 😉

Don’t see this menu? Double-check that you are clicking the buyer's message, not yours. Your own message only shows the arrow button.

Now, when you press the report button, you will be greeted with the following menu:

You can do a few things here. Let’s go over them all.

“The user asked for payment or wanted to communicate outside of Fiverr”

Does this fit your report issue? Wait just a moment!

It is possible that a client just does not know it’s not allowed to contact outside of Fiverr or make payments outside of Fiverr. You could try and clarify this for the buyer. If the buyer continues to push you, you can report them.

Also, report the buyer if they do not respond to your messages anymore. Why? It could be possible that they are now contacting other sellers with the same message and requesting payments or contact outside Fiverr, hoping to find someone who will comply. (This might be a scam tactic!) Keep yourself, but also others, safe on the Fiverr platform!

This is a 100% personal opinion situation. Keep in mind that you are allowed to have boundaries, and you are always allowed to speak up when a buyer does something inappropriate to you. I will give an example below:

A female seller has a clear image of herself. She gets greeted with the following message:

“Hello gorgeous! You are looking very good on your profile pic ;). I am looking for someone that wants to… work on some projects, with me! Are you interested? We could make a payment, or you could go on a date with me? haha! Let me know beautiful”

off topic: I got sick by even writing this. I’m sorry for everyone that had gone trough seeing a message like this! Let’s go back to the topic.

This message is (of course) not great, and it is a very unprofessional way of reaching out. As a seller, if this upsets you, you are allowed to report this as unwanted behavior! This is not a place for toxic “look at me, I’m more powerful than you” behavior. If you don’t mind messages like this… well, good for you… just a tip: don’t go on that date. 😉

If this user sent a spam message or possible scam messages, you can use this option. Spam reports are the most common situations in the Inbox.

If you have an unusual reason to report, you can use the "other" button. Make sure to clearly explain why you are reporting this message! This can help Fiverr Support understand your perspective.

2 Recognizing the easy ones (with examples)

Scammers are very creative. While Fiverr does their best to remove these scams and find ways to prevent these messages, by the time Fiverr catches up with message form 1, the scammers have already developed scam message 2. It’s like walking a marathon where the first runner is just playing with the second runner by running a bit slower, then accelerating quickly! 

I sometimes see comments online about Fiverr not doing their best to prevent these messages. But let’s be honest, have you seen these messages before? The way they evolve in just a few days? There are many versions: a few months ago it was Telegram promotions, now it’s “Fiverr Support” messages, QR codes, complete fake Fiverr pages with links, etc. You name it!

Anyway, Fiverr, keep on working on it like you do! And sellers, keep on reporting these scammers! And to the scammers: I hope your microwaved meals will be forever cold in the middle!

things that highlight the possibility of a scam:

2. A list with “available now” “available jobs” or “available projects”

3. A wide list of offerings (also offerings not related to the gigs you offer)

6. The world telegram in general. And as in this example, with extra icons above it

This message is an easy one, and a well known format that is still being used!

Why is this still active you might ask? Because the scammers keep finding creative ways to write down the word “telegram”

My advice : As soon as you see the word telegram, in any message. REPORT!

3 You are online on Fiverr, and they tracked you down in a low search result overview with “buyer is online” option. (I get more of these messages while online, so this is my guess!)

3. Mentioning “impressed by your profile” and being “impressed” They try to compliment you and give some false hope!

A Fiverr Guide for One of the Most Asked Questions: "I Got This Message from a Client… “ IT'S A SCAM!

A home for meaningful connections, peer support, and professional growth.

Fiverr Community

Job Title

Login to the Fiverr Community community to connect with others, attend community events, and more!

Login or Sign Up for even more

To unlock all parts of the community and get the best experience, complete your profile.